Budget & Taxes (Property Tax)

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 893: Revise lottery state finance laws related to property tax relief

HB 893 proposes creating a new annual lottery game called "Montana millions" to provide funds for property tax assistance. This game would be held on July 4, offering four $1 million prizes, with 500,000 tickets sold at $20 each. After covering costs and prizes, the net revenue generated would be transferred to a state property tax assistance account. The bill also appropriates $50,000 to the Department of Revenue for implementing related provisions of Senate Bill No. 90, upon which this act is contingent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses lottery revenue to fund property tax assistance, directly providing tax relief through new state revenue allocation for tax support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 920: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for senior care facilities, reducing tax burden for affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemption for senior care facilities to encourage development of affordable housing, directly improving access to senior healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax exemption for senior housing development, explicitly aiming to encourage affordable housing construction through local need assessments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 85: Reinstating former employer contributions for JRS, HPORS, SRS, GWPORS

HB 85 reinstates former employer contribution rates for four specific public employee retirement systems: the Judges', Highway Patrol Officers', Sheriffs', and Game Wardens' and Peace Officers' Retirement Systems. This directly impacts the governmental entities that employ these personnel and contribute to their pensions. The bill also amends the state's property tax levy calculation procedures, outlining how local governments determine their maximum mill levies based on factors like prior year assessments and newly taxable property. It specifically exempts certain levies, such as those funding the sheriffs' retirement system, from these new

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates employer pension contributions, increasing state spending on public employee retirement systems, supporting fiscal responsibility for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReinstates employer pension contributions for public employees, protecting retirement benefits which fall under employment standards and worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Property Tax Public Employees Retirement Benefits

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 894: Revising property appraisal to use an average value

HB 894 proposes to revise the method for appraising property for tax purposes in Montana. For most taxable property, its market value would be determined by calculating an average of its market value over a 10-year period. This calculation would specifically exclude the highest and lowest yearly values from that decade. This change directly affects property owners by altering the valuation method used for their property tax assessments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises property tax appraisal to average 10-year values, excluding extremes, reducing annual volatility for property owners - providing tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 117: Revise government entity limitations on property tax increases

SB 117 revises property tax laws for governmental entities, affecting how local governments in Montana calculate their property tax levies. It modifies the maximum allowable inflation-based increase for property tax levies and changes how revenue from newly taxable property is factored into these calculations. The bill also allows cities and counties to establish a "large taxpayer reserve account," requiring them to deposit a percentage of revenue from newly taxable property into it. These funds are restricted and can only be used for specific purposes, such as reducing future mill levies or attracting new industry, if a major taxpayer experiences a significant drop in value or ceases operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax levy limits and creates reserve accounts for fiscal management, promoting responsible budgeting and revenue handling per tax calculation changes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

signed · Montana · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 29: Revise administration of property tax exemptions

HB 29 requires Montana's Department of Revenue to review all tax-exempt properties (like those owned by nonprofits or religious organizations) at least once every eight years. It mandates the department to publicly post detailed maps showing each exempt property’s location, owner, legal description, exemption type, and value, organized by county. The law also requires the department to report biennially to the legislature on review results, including numbers of approved/denied exemptions and their estimated values. This bill directly affects property owners utilizing tax exemptions and increases transparency about which properties qualify for exemption under Montana law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires review of tax-exempt properties to prevent misuse, promoting fiscal responsibility by ensuring proper exemption compliance and transparency in property taxation administration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 322: Increase business equipment tax exemption

SB 322 increases Montana's tax exemption for business equipment by setting a $500 threshold, meaning equipment costing under $500 would be automatically exempt from taxation. It also requires annual inflation adjustments to the exemption amount and modifies tax code sections to clarify definitions and eligibility. Local governments and tax increment financing districts would receive reimbursements for lost property tax revenue due to these changes. The bill directly affects Montana businesses purchasing equipment under $500 and local governments managing property tax revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax exemption for small business equipment ($500 threshold), providing tax relief while requiring reimbursements to offset local revenue loss.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives

Track

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 140: Provide property tax assistance for law enforcement and firefighters injured in the line of duty

House Bill 140 establishes a property tax assistance program for certain first responders and their surviving spouses. It provides a reduction in residential property taxes for law enforcement officers and firefighters who were injured in the line of duty. Unmarried surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty are also eligible for this assistance. The amount of the tax reduction is determined by the applicant's income, with lower incomes receiving a greater benefit. Eligibility requires the property to be the primary residence and the first responder to meet specific criteria related to their line-of-duty injury or death.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax reduction for first responders and spouses, with greater benefit for lower incomes, aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides property tax relief for law enforcement officers injured in duty, directly supporting personnel welfare within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 231: Revise property tax rates for certain property

HB 231 revises property tax laws by establishing reduced tax rates for certain class four residential and commercial properties. It provides a lower tax rate for qualifying owner-occupied principal residences and long-term rental properties, as well as for a portion of commercial property value. For principal residences, some owners will automatically qualify for the reduced rate for tax years 2025 and 2026 based on prior tax rebates or assistance programs. Beginning in tax year 2027, all owners seeking these reduced rates must apply to the department and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as demonstrating occupancy for a principal residence or rental periods for long-term rentals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduced property tax rates for qualifying owner-occupied residences provide tax relief, aligning with support for middle-income fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property taxes for owner-occupied residences and long-term rentals, lowering costs and supporting housing affordability for qualifying homeowners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 189: Freeze property values for 2 years

This bill freezes Montana property tax values for 2025 and 2026 at the 2024 level for all taxable property. It directly affects property owners by preventing annual reassessment increases during those years, unless the Department of Revenue determines a property's value has decreased since 2024. The bill mandates using the 2024 value for tax calculations in 2025 and 2026, with the exception of properties showing a lower value in 2025. It applies retroactively to 2025 taxes and terminates after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property tax values to prevent annual increases, providing direct tax relief for property owners and stabilizing local revenue without increasing burdens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track